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A new affiliation between the Ohio Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institution means
Ohioans may get to see rare items from among 136 million in the world’s largest museum.

It’s also likely that some of the Smithsonian’s 30 million annual visitors will view historical
items, documents and photos collected by the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center in
Wilberforce.

The affiliation agreement is reciprocal, meaning items can go both ways. The deal will be
completed next Wednesday, when Harold Closter, director of Smithsonian Affiliations, visits
Columbus.

Although the Smithsonian has many affiliates, including some in the Buckeye State, Ohio’s will
be among the largest agreements in the nation. The Ohio Historical Society includes more than 50
network sites — such as the Afro-American Museum and the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in
Wapakoneta — that are part of the deal.

“Not only will we be able to borrow more objects from the Smithsonian that will enrich our
exhibits,” said Jane Mason, spokeswoman for the Ohio Historical Society, “but the Smithsonian is
interested in some of our objects that will allow Ohio to be more prominent on a national and
global stage.”

She said the Smithsonian connection also will provide training, seminar and
professional-development opportunities for the historical society staff.

Which Smithsonian items Ohio would like to borrow is under discussion, Mason added.

The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, created by acts of the federal and state
governments, opened in 1988 on the grounds of Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private
African-American university. Aliea Brown, curator of the museum, said officials are in discussion
about loaning items to the Smithsonian for a special exhibit. The museum is currently closed for
repairs and renovation.

“We are thrilled with the avenues that are opening up to us because of Ohio Historical Society’s
affiliation with the Smithsonian,” Brown said.

The Smithsonian, founded in 1846, has 19 museums, plus the National Zoological Park and nine
research facilities.

Information about the Smithsonian can be found online at www.si.edu.

The Ohio Historical Society, founded in 1885, holds 1.6 million items in Columbus and statewide
collections. Information is available at
www.ohiohistory.org.